Rita Crundwell moved to Chicago jail

CHICAGO – A former northern Illinois comptroller sentenced this year for stealing nearly $54 million from her community has been transferred to a federal jail in downtown Chicago.

The Bureau of Prisons confirmed Monday that Rita Crundwell is at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Bureau spokesman Chris Burke says the former Dixon comptroller arrived at the high-rise jail Thursday.

Crundwell admitted she stashed public money in a secret bank account for decades. She used it to fund a lavish lifestyle and her renowned horse-breeding operation.

A U.S. judge in Rockford sentenced the 60-year-old to nearly 20 years in prison. She was taken into custody at sentencing.

Chicago's MCC is typically an interim holding facility. Crundwell will be assigned a permanent prison later.